The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1887-04-13

Instances of the Heroism OF the Gentle
Sex at Sea.
Owners OF ships forbid, following an
old theory, that captains take their
wives out to sea, because they are afraid
the wife would demand some OF the hus-
bands attention when the ship requires
all Of it. This theory Is unfounded and
happily has many opponents.
/ remember the case OF the freight
steamer Edgar, bound from the Sene-
gal to London. A fever breaking out on
board laid low the whole crew, except
ing the captain and the mate. These
two men took charge OF the engine
room, while the captains wife steered.
II she had not shown her ability
to do so the ship would have been
lost.
During the first days of the California
gold fever the heroical Mary Patten
sailed round Cape Horn with her hus-
band. He fell Ill and his brave wife
took his place on the quarterback.
The crew was composed Of land lub-
beers. who could not tell the difference
between q sextant and molasses jug,
the mate being no better. Mrs. Patten
kept the log, took the sun, and led the
ship without misadventure to San Fran
cisco, nursing her husband when below
and off duty.
The fact that the British brig Cleotus
was navigated by Miss Bessie Miller
for many years, is not less remarkable.
Her father was an owner OF ships at
Saltcoats. Having no sons, he took the
daughter into his business, and was
frequently accompanied by her when
business brought him to the docks. She
gathered so much information concern
ing ships and navigation. and imbibed
such desire for o genuine sailors life
that papa" made her captain OF the
Cleotus, vessel which he had specially
built for her.
For more than twenty years she navi-
gated her craft In the waters of the con-
iinent and on the stormy coast OF Great
Britain, constantly besieged by and re-
fusing the offers OF seamen, who had
been fascinated by her courage. After
her fathers death she retired from tho
sea to take charge of his business.
Mary Reed, an English girl, was put
into boys clothes by her mother, that
her youth might be free from the cares
and wants which the mother had
suffered
Mary at first entered service as valet.
then she went as volunteer into the
Guards. Falling In love with another
volunteer, she confessed her sex and
was married to him In the presence Of
the whole regiment.
The husband dying few years later,
Mary donned mems clothing again and
went to sea. Captured by pirates, she
joined their band and fell in love once
more.
The man of her heart became en-
broiled in quarrel with o shipmate,
and Mary feared for his life. Not
being well able to prevent duel, Mary
sought a quarrel with the same advers-
airy OF her lover, compelled him to fight,
and vanquished him two hours before the
time at which he was to meet the
lover
She had In the meantime confessed
her sex to the latter, and as proper end
OF this chapter In her career, she
was married to him by the priest OF an
isolated island.
The man was subsequently killed. and
Mary joined the crew of the celebrated
pirate, Captain Rackman, who was ae-
companied by another female, Anne
Bonney, also O former sailor and pirate.
Mary had again donned male dress,
and through her bravery and abll ty
rose high in the estimation OF her COM
panions.
Captain Rogers. OF the Royal Navy,
captured the biigantlne commanded by
Rackman, and taking her to Port Royal,
Jamaica. the whole crew was sentenced
to tho gallows. Mary, however, dis
closed her sex, and might have escaped
II fever had not ended her adventurous
life.
Rackman and eight of his companions
We're executed. The fate OF Anne Bon
ney is unknown. Translated from
- Ahoi."